The Cairo Festival for Arts opened on 15 and runs until 25 November, with a programme of theatrical plays, a number of short films as well as music performances.

Arwa Kadoura and Hisham El-Sonbaty are heads of the festival in it’s first round which is dedicated to Egyptian performer and actress Nelly.

A total of 37 plays are scheduled during the festival, including Fantasia by Shamaa we Malaha troupe, Leilet Ras El-Sana (New year’s Eve) by Dafayer troupe, Sekket Safar (Travel Road) by Madraset El-Masrah Troupe and Shakespeare's men El-Sabteyah (Shakespeare from Sabteyah) by Rouh Troupe.

Throughout the festival three performances take place daily starting at 5 pm, with the exception of Saturday 28 November when the short film competition will take place at 8 pm, with 16 shorts competing. 

Awtar Al-Khayal (Shadow Strings) by Ahmed Nabil, Abyad Fe Eswed (Black and White) by Osama Ahmed and Prova by Shady Fouad are some of the short films participating.

A special programme for children will take place on Sunday 29 November. The evening will offer two plays, Al Leila El Kebeira by Masr El Gedida Library troupe, and Tom and Jerry by El Adl Independent Theatre troupe, in addition to a singing competition.

On it’s opening day the festival honoured the late writer Salah Jaheen, the late director Fahmy Abd El-Hameed, writer Mofeed Fawzy, composer Helmy Bakr, actor Samir Sabry, and actor Ibrahim Yousry.

The closing ceremony, to be held on 30 November, will honour five others- actor Mohamed Sobhy, actress Lebleba, singer and head of Musicians Syndicate Hany Shaker, composer and actor Mohamed Sultan, as well as choreographer and dancer Hassan Afifi of Reda dancing troupe.

Programme:
The festival runs from 15 to 25 November, with events starting at 5pm every evening.
Hosapeer Theatre, Galaa Street, Downtown Cairo

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